How does it work?

The National Skills Academy for Food and Drink launched in June 2007 as the one-stop shop for all learning and training in the UK food and drink industry.

The National Skills Academy is currently being developed in partnership with the food and drink sector through continuous research and consultation and the co-ordinated involvement of employers and industry stakeholders. This will ensure that the skills supply will meet the demands of industry.

Delivery structure and mechanisms

The National Skills Academy will comprise a prestigious and unique, UK wide network of training provision for all people in the food and drink industry.

The National Skills Academy for Food and Drink launched in June 2007 as the one-stop shop for all learning and training in the UK food and drink industry.

The first phase of the National Skills Academy will be up and running by April 2007 and will initially consist of seven Academy Centres, driven by recognised partnerships of employers, colleges and private training providers across England.

The physical centres will be supported by one online e-based Academy hub which will provide virtual and distance training and qualifications.

The initial National Skills Academy focus will be on Production Management and Management & Leadership, with other skills areas being developed to meet the needs of employers.

Further Centres of Excellence will also be established following the April launch to further enhance skills provision across the UK.

Although funded initially in England only it is hoped that the Academy will soon be able to make its programmes available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland through a planned network of registered training providers. These will be organisations of individuals who will not have recognised National Skills Academy status but who will become accredited to deliver Academy courses anywhere in the UK. It is expected there will be 200 of these within four years.

Due to increasing globalization within the food and drink industry, the Academy intends to seek and deliver the highest possible level of training provision. This may consequently be sourced from existing best practices techniques and provision used intentionally, as well as in the UK market.

Who is it for?